These festive, easy and inexpensive Turkey Day crafts are sure to get your kids in the Thanksgiving spirit. Make them days before the holiday or while they're waiting for the big meal to begin!
Nothing says Thanksgiving like a classic hand print-as-turkey cutout. Update this timeless craft with everyday items from the pantry and craft drawer: small paper plates, coffee filters, paint, clothespins, black beans, orange paper, red pipe cleaners, patterned paper (optional), a stapler and hot glue. Start by cutting and gluing the patterned paper to the paper plate. Next, paint the edges of the coffee filter red, fold it in half and glue it onto the plate. Take two black beans and glue them on the top of the clothespin for the turkey's eyes. Next, bend a piece of pipe cleaner in half and glue below the "eyes" to resemble a gizzard. Finally, glue the clothespin onto the paper plate.
Thanksgiving Crafts For Kids
By Kendra Smoot
These festive, easy and inexpensive Turkey Day crafts are sure to get your kids in the Thanksgiving spirit. Make them days before the holiday or while they're waiting for the big meal to begin!
Nothing says Thanksgiving like a classic hand print-as-turkey cutout. Update this timeless craft with everyday items from the pantry and craft drawer: small paper plates, coffee filters, paint, clothespins, black beans, orange paper, red pipe cleaners, patterned paper (optional), a stapler and hot glue. Start by cutting and gluing the patterned paper to the paper plate. Next, paint the edges of the coffee filter red, fold it in half and glue it onto the plate. Take two black beans and glue them on the top of the clothespin for the turkey's eyes. Next, bend a piece of pipe cleaner in half and glue below the "eyes" to resemble a gizzard. Finally, glue the clothespin onto the paper plate.
Prepping and cooking Thanksgiving dinner can yield quite a collection of empty tin cans. Instead of tossing them into the recycling bin, turn them into nifty school supply holders. To make them, lay cans down on colored paper, measure to fit around the width of the can and cut. Wrap the paper around the can and attach with double-sided tape. Make sure to dull down any sharp edges on the can after opening with a can opener.
With just a roll of art paper, kids can help create your Thanksgiving table decor and a keepsake of the day. Have them ask dinner guests what they are thankful for this year, then write or draw pictures of the answers onto the paper. After dinner, hang up for all to admire.
Kids aren't big on hors devours, but they sure like popcorn! Let them help set up their own popcorn bar where they can personalize flavors with a variety of toppings. Chocolate shavings, cinnamon and a mixture of peanut butter and honey will create a gourmet take on an everyday snack.
It's inevitable that kids will get restless during a long Thanksgiving dinner. Avoid food fights with this giant board game. Use a pack of construction paper to tape pathways of color throughout your home. Kids will love rolling the giant die, made from an empty cardboard box (make sure it's unmarked). With a marker, write various commands on each side of the box (e.g., move forward two spaces, move backward one space, go to the next yellow space). Then let them blow off some steam while you have coffee and pie!
